ive noticed some remarkable weightlosses on this forum and was wondering if you could tell me how long its has taken you to lose the weight that you have lost and and what were the main "ingredients" in your weight loss success??? (i.e what you did to lose the weight)

im just curious and it gives me the opportunity to know you guys better cos im new!!

I started March 2006 and after 24 weeks have lost 20kgs. I was aiming for around 10kgs every 3 months and so far it has worked although I have noticed it starting to slow down a little.

I began on light n easy program and went off that about 3 weeks ago as I need to do this myself to be able to maintain it for life. I learnt better eating habits from that program as well as the all important portion control. Now I eat well most of the time with cheat/treat Dinners on Sat and Sunday. Lately they've been creeping in during the week which has to stop! Now I eat lean meat and fish, low fat dairy, wholemeal carbs (brown rice, wholemeal pasta and grain breads - watching the portion size on these) plenty of fresh veges, legumes and salad as well as fresh fruit. If I must have a desert I get the nestle diet deserts as they are low fat and usually still quite yummy so long as you stop at one!

About 4-5 weeks into my new lifestyle I started walking regularly during my lunch break for 30-45 mins and slowly increased the speed as I couldn't increase the time. Started strength training at home with cans of food and doing a Tae Bo DVD if I was unable to go for my walk. After loosing 10kgs I joined a gym as I had 3 weeks off work at that time and went heaps and had a few sessions with a personal trainer to learn more about the strength training. Never looked back since then and now I love exercising and I believe it has helped the weight coming off not to mention how fit and healthy I feel. Now I have bought a weight set for home and do weights at least twice a week but try for 3 times. Every week day I walk to the gym a brisk 10 min walk, jump on the cross trainer and do the hill option for 20 mins, 10 min brisk walk back to work or I go for a very brisk 40 min walk. Exercise is a real key and it's even better if you can enjoy it. If you don't then try to make it something practical such as cycling to work like Tegan does, that way it's transport that you get exercise from rather than exercise for it's own sake.

Ok my essay is done. Sorry to all those who will read it hope it doesn't bore you too much....I can hear you snoring you know!